Oppression

Oppression is "the social act of placing severe restrictions on an individual group, or institution. Typically, a government or political organization in power places restrictions formally or covertly on oppressed groups so they may be exploited and less able to compete with other social groups. The oppressed individual or group is devalued, exploited, and deprived of privileges by the individual or group who has more power." - Phil Barker

Moreover, "oppression may arise not just because society actively seeks to disadvantage some groups of people but rather because of the effects of societal norms, laws and unchallenged assumptions" - Ruth Northway

Examples of Oppression

The following illustrations from Mary Pender Green outline several examples of forms of oppression.

Other resources

Oppression Olympics (term used when two or more groups compete to prove that they are more oppressed than others)

Solidarity Politics for Millennials: A Guide to Ending the Oppression Olympics



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